BBC News - Asia-Pacific
The latest stories from the Asia-Pacific section of the BBC News web site.



New Zealand assesses quake damage (Sep 5)
Officials assess the damage caused by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, as aftershocks continue.


Japan convicts whaling activists (Sep 6)
A court in Japan gives one-year suspended jail sentences to two anti-whaling activists from Greenpeace for stealing whale meat in 2008.


N Korea to free South Korea crew (Sep 6)
North Korea says it will release the crew of a South Korean fishing boat seized in waters east of the Korean peninsula one month ago.


South Korea FM offers to resign (Sep 4)
The South Korean Foreign Minister, Yu Myung-hwan, offers to resign after it was revealed that his daughter was offered a job in his ministry.


New Zealand crash victims named (Sep 5)
Police in New Zealand name nine people, including four foreigners, who died when a light aircraft crashed after taking off from Fox Glacier on Saturday.


Japan imposes new Iran sanctions (Sep 3)
Japan imposes new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme but maintains its oil import schedule.


China warships end Burma visit (Sep 3)
The first visit of Chinese warships to Burma ends as top Burmese leader Than Shwe prepares to visit Beijing, highlighting the two country's close ties.


Thai workers 'trafficked to US' (Sep 3)
Six recruiters are accused of luring 400 Thai workers to the US with promises of farm jobs, confiscating their passports and demanding high fees.


Independent Wilkie backs Gillard (Sep 2)
One of four key independent lawmakers endorses Australian PM Julia Gillard, leaving her two seats short of the majority needed to form a government.


Tajikistan suicide bomb wounds 25 (Sep 3)
A suicide bomber has driven a car packed with explosives into police offices in Khujand, Tajikistan, injuring 25 people.